Our Christmas break looked a little different than we had anticipated, but it was wonderful! I’ve wanted to see Hamilton since at least 2016 and finally got tickets to see it with some family in Cleveland right before Christmas. Vicious, sub-zero-degree weather and extreme ice thwarted our plans, however, and we weren’t able to make it to Ohio after all. But the upside was we got to wake up in our own home on Christmas – our first as a family of four.

Landon happily anticipated Santa’s arrival and had many questions about how he’d get down and back up our chimney, especially since we had our fire roaring at full blast. He requested a robot, a jet pack and a beach ball, all of which Santa delivered. We’re still puzzled why he wanted a beach ball so much.

I got to read Landon and Bryce the same copy of The Night Before Christmas my dad read to my brother and me when we were little. I love that I get to carry that tradition on to this new generation. I also offered Landon a mimosa on Christmas morning. (Virgin, of course!!) He wasn’t a fan of the carbonation and made me laugh when he smashed his glass against mine and yelled, “Cheers!” Amazingly, neither glass broke.

Pre-Christmas festivities included several parties at preschool, daycare and church and some other community events, including a visit to a local shop to see Santa and do face painting! Landon requested the Grinch, which the artist had never done before, but accommodated and she absolutely knocked it out of the park.

Bryce, of course, had no idea what was happening but was very tolerant of me dressing him in Christmas outfits and wearing Santa hats. He’s a very tactile baby and immediately wrapped his hand in Santa’s beard. Thank goodness he didn’t pull it right off!

Landon and Bryce made us the best Christmas crafts! He made a Santa handprint jar at preschool and they each made footprint Rudolphs at daycare.

My mom and I took Landon and Bryce to the pool at the Y to let them splash. Landon continues to wow me with his comfort in the water and Bryce seemed to enjoy his first pool experience. Landon starts swim lessons in a few weeks and I look forward to watching him gain even more independence in the water! We continued our beloved New Year’s tradition of getting together with some dear friends and their families and enjoyed an afternoon of laughs, watching our kids play and enjoying some delicious cuisine.